There was a time long passed when video games used to either actively encourage players to use cheat codes or simply heavily feature them. Odds are that longtime gamers have at least a few happy memories causing chaos inGrand Theft Auto San Andreasor slapping onBig Head mode inGoldeneye.These days, however, cheating has much more negative connotations, and one survey has revealed which groups are most likely to use them.
A survey of 1,000 gamers across the US performed by Time2Play has concluded thatPlayStation gamersand Gen Z are the two most likely groups to cheat while playing video games. Notably, PC players were perceived as cheating in games the most, despite PlayStation gamers confessing to cheating more often. There was no significant difference between men and women that found cheating in games acceptable, with 78% of men being fine with the practice compared to 75% of women.
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Meanwhile, 83% of Gen Z respondents were fine with cheating, while 77% of Millennials found it acceptible. Both Gen X and Baby Boomers clocked in at a 74% agreement rate. The top reason for cheating was that it “helps overcome frustration,” with “increases enjoyment” being a close second, with 49% of respondents and 48% of respondents, respectively. Additionally, 81% of respondents stated that it was more acceptable to cheat while playing alone.
It’s important to note that the study covers cheating in games broadly as a concept. It factors in relatively harmless cheat codes and quirks, likeAge of Empires 2’sShelby Cobra cheat, alongside malicious cheats that one might find in aCall of Duty: Warzonelobby. If the numbers sound a little off, that’s likely why. While respectable, 1,000 respondents is also a relatively slim sample size, so a broader survey may have radically different results.
That being said, it is fun to get some insight into how gamers feel about cheating in games. It wasn’t too long ago that gamers could find books containing video game cheat codes out in the wild, be that at a Scholastic Book Fair or even just around town. Those days have since passed due to the rise of the internet and the slow fall off of cheat codes in games, though there are still exploitive mechanics that pop up now and then. For example,time skipping inAnimal Crossing New Horizonsis a popular method to get things done quickly.
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